5 Chapter PROGRAMMING OPPORTUNITIES AND RELEVANT STRATEGIES Minority rights can be integrated into various UNDP programmes. The strategy used will vary with the national context. This may depend upon the openness and capacity of governments, inter-communal relations, legal recognition of minorities, the demographics of minorities, the presence and capacities of minority CSOs, and UNDP staff commitment and capacity. In all situations, there is a responsibility to ensure that UNDP interventions do not violate minority rights. Even where government relations with minority groups may be strained, care could be taken not to directly or indirectly discriminate against minorities. Even in difficult circumstances, entry points may be found for assisting the government and minority groups to realize human rights and secure better development for all. Table 4. Linking Minority Rights and MDGs Strategies Key Minority Rights MDG Country Reports Response MDG Policy Response The right to exist • Improved data collection on the situation of minority groups • Additional investment for minorityspecific targets to reduce inequalities in the MDGs • Constitutional recognition and protection of minority identities • Investment in minority rights training for law enforcement officials and other public sector employees • Description of different ethnic, religious and linguistic groups that live in the country, including by region • Disaggregated data on minorities living in the country, especially for each of the MDGs • Additional targets to reduce inequalities experienced by minorities in the MDGs • Discussion of both mainstreamed and targeted policies for minorities The right to • Discussion of the inequalities faced non-discrimination by minorities in the country • Provide disaggregated data by gender and social group for each of the MDGs • Discussion of the structural and social barriers faced by minorities due to discrimination • Discussion of national laws and policies in place to address discrimination against minorities • Adoption of a National Action Plan on tacking all forms of discrimination • Disaggregation of data by gender and social group • Use of impact assessments for proposed MDG strategies to evaluate benefits or harm to minorities • Review and strengthening of national laws on non-discrimination Chapter 5: Programming Opportunities and Relevant Strategies 73